Love one another as I have loved you’ (John 13: 34-35) helping each other to reach for the stars.

Our Governing Board 2023 - 2024

Our Role

Our Governing Board consists of elected parents, Foundation Diocesan Board of Education appointed, Local Authority representatives and school staff. The Governing Board has the responsibility of monitoring all aspects of school standards.

With the exception of the Co-Headteachers, term of office for a school governor is four years, with no limit on the number of terms a school governor can serve. All Governors at the school are subject to regukar Safeguarding and DBS checks.

Alison Foy is the Chair of the Governing Body. Claire Buckingham chairs the Resources Committee and Felicity Rave chairs the School Improvement Committee.

To contact the Chair of the Governing body please emailafoy@stone.bucks.sch.uk

What is the role of the Governing Board?
In maintained schools the Governing Board has responsibility for raising school standards through three core strategic functions of: 

  • Setting the School’s vision, values and strategic direction;
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and it’s pupils;
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school to ensure its money is well spent;

The governing body act as a 'critical friend', working in a close, supportive way with the Co-Headteachers, senior leadership team and school staff to raise standards in all areas of school life and to promote high standards of education and achievement for all pupils. Our aim is that every child at Stone will reach their full potential.

Structure and Responsibilities of Governing Board
The Full Governing Body meets once per term and deals with all formal regulatory business.

There are currently 10 Governors with full and equal voting rights.  

In addition, we have a committee structure to undertake our monitoring and evaluation roles.

Membership and terms of reference of committees are determined annually in the autumn term and each committee meets at least once per term. We have 2 main committees:

1. School Improvement Committee - Monitors the School Development Plan, curriculum, quality of teaching and learning, pupil performance data, SEND.

2. Resources Committee – Responsible for setting the school budget and reviewing the school’s financial performance.  The committee also monitors staff performance management, responsibility for pay and other HR matters, Health & Safety and premises and lettings.

Meeting minutes are a matter of public record and copies can be viewed at the school office.

All Governors have undertaken an Induction Programme and attend regular further training within the Governor Development Programme to enable us to exercise our duties effectively and keep up to date with changes across all areas of the education provision.  

Governing Body Key Information

Clerk to the Governing Board: Mrs Joanne Lockwood

Meet the Governors- Governor photos & profiles

Meet The Governors

Alison Foy


Role: Chair of Governing Body, Co-opted Governor
Committee(s): School Improvement Committee, Resources Committee,
Area(s) of Responsibility: Safeguarding, Attendance, Personal Development & Wellbeing.


I was first elected Parent Governor in 2015 serving a 4 year term.  I am now a Co-opted Governor and as Chair of the Governing Body I ensure the effective functioning of the board and facilitate the governing body to work as a team to challenge, support and contribute to the strategic leadership of the school.

I passionately believe that every child is a unique and special individual and should have the best education possible to enable them to strive to be the best they can be.

As well as my most important and rewarding job of being a parent, I have a strong track record in organisational and performance management, Compliance, Quality Management and driving and sustaining high performing teams.  

I am incredibly proud to serve the community on the Governing board to support the school to be the best that we know it can be.

Beth Jones

Role:Co-Headteacher
Full Governing Board
I am very proud to be the Co- Headteacher at Stone Church of England Combined Primary School. I started my teaching career in London, where I taught for several years before moving to Melbourne, Australia, where I spent nine years working in three different schools. During that time, I worked as an Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Inclusion, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience, working with a diverse range of pupils.

After the birth of our twins, my husband and I decided to move back to the UK and I began working in Oxfordshire as a SEN advisor before joining Stone School in September 2022 as Deputy Headteacher. I am incredibly passionate about teaching and am committed to supporting all the children at Stone School, ensuring they are all safe, happy and achieving.


Sarah Hale

Role: Co-Headteacher
Full Governing Board
Committee(s): School Improvement Committee & Resources
 

I started at Stone in January 2016 as deputy headteacher and have been actively involved with the governing body since then. 

Before joining Stone, I taught in another local primary school, where I qualified as an Advanced Skills Teacher. This involved providing outreach to schools across the county to support school improvement. In 2015 I worked for the Buckinghamshire Learning Trust as a maths advisor, leading training, moderation and providing further outreach support to schools across Buckinghamshire. The experience of working with staff and children from a wide range of schools with very different contexts has given me a great insight into what makes a successful school community.

I am passionate about mental health, wellbeing and inclusion and believe that positive relationships between all stakeholders are at the heart of a successful school community. I whole-heartedly believe that every child has their own star to reach and that by working together as a community, every child can achieve their potential. I am dedicated to ensuring every child receives the best education possible in order to achieve this.  

As well as being an educator, I am also a parent and feel this has given me an even better insight into not only what makes school a positive, successful experience for children but also helps me to empathise with other parents, enabling effective relationships to be built; leading to the best outcomes for our children. 

Craig Dunne-Wall

Role:     Parent Governor - elected by parents/carers
Committee(s): Resources Committee

I was appointed as Parent Governor in June 2022. I moved to Stone with my family during the pandemic in 2020 and I am keen to support the community and particularly the school, where my eldest started in Reception in 2021. I would like to be able to represent the views and perspectives of parents and bring pragmatic support to both the other governors of the school and the amazing staff who make our school the best it can be for our children.

I am an overwhelmingly proud daddy of two fantastic boys, who both currently attend the school. I have a busy time at home, not only looking after my boys but also still renovating the home and garden we moved in to two years ago. I also like (very rare these days) a round of golf when I get the opportunity.

I currently work for a management consultancy based in Bristol, but with clients all over the UK. I provide strategic guidance and programme management support to major organisational, digital and cyber transformation programmes. My experience is across both the public and private sector. I hope to be able to bring some transferable skills from other sectors to support the governors and the school to continue to progress and provide a fantastic learning environment for our children.

Joy Featherston


Role:   Foundation Governor, Appointed by the Diocese
Committee(s): School Improvement Committee
Area(s) of Responsibility: EYFS, RE, Safeguarding


I am proud to be a Foundation Governor for the school, with interests particularly in the Early Years Foundation Stage (reception class) and RE within the school. I have strong links with the school, living within the Wychert Benefice, and 3 of my 4 children attended the school some years ago. I have been so pleased to now be able to give a little back to school, supporting it to the best of my ability whilst supporting the maintenance of links with the local church community.

I currently work full time for Buckinghamshire Council Early Years within Children’s Services, and in addition I also have my own Childcare Tutoring business, teaching Childminding introductory courses and Safeguarding for nurseries and pre-schools across the County. I am an approved trainer for the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board and am passionate about supporting the safety and well-being of all children and young people.
Home life is busy, as well as busy jobs outside of the home, 3 sons, a daughter in law and young grandson all live with me and my husband (Nigel) who is also a part-time curate working  voluntarily in this Benefice.

There never seems to be enough time to relax and wind down, but holidays are important, we love seeing friends, getting out and about and walking. We have a busy life but one that is so rewarding.

Laura Ithier

Role:   Parent Governor, elected by parents/carers
Committee(s): School Improvement Committee
Area(s) of Responsibility: Curriculum


It is a privilege to be elected as a Parent Governor of the school. Stone School is a genuinely wonderful village school and both of my children enjoy attending. They are following in the footsteps of my husband and his brother who attended the School 30 years ago. The very reason we chose this school, for our children, is because children at Stone School know they are valued and supported, to make a positive difference, in their own way. 

I have several interests including: a love of gardening, baking, writing for a publication and most of all I enjoy creating memories with my family. 

I qualified as a Law Teacher in 2009 and I am a full-time Subject Leader. My highest qualification is a Master of Laws, which I completed whilst pregnant with my son. I enjoy teaching immensely and I genuinely feel it is a privilege to help students get the qualifications to take the next steps towards their careers. 

I believe that positive attitudes to learning are best formed young and I am looking forward to supporting the School in continuing to create positive learning experiences for children.

Felicity Rave - stepped down from role on 8th Feb 2024

Role:   Vice Chair of Governors, elected by parents/carers
Committee(s): Chair of School Improvement Committee, Resources Committee
Area(s) of Responsibility: Equalities, Inclusion, SEND


I was first appointed as Parent Governor at the end of March 2018 before being appointed as the Local Authority Governor. I am committed to supporting my fellow Governors in achieving the best for our children and contribute to the continuation of progress in our School. I also want to be able to represent the views of our parents and provide the necessary support to our incredible teaching staff who, day after day, strive to deliver exceptional quality teaching to our children.

I currently work for Buckinghamshire Council as a HR Consultant supporting Buckinghamshire Schools and internal services on the application and interpretation of HR policies. This also includes developing key locations strategies to improve employee retention, up skill and manage workforce productivity and reduce absence.

I am the proud mummy of two very energetic children, one of which currently attends the School. I have a very lively home life and enjoy spending time with my extended family, travelling often to France for a break from the hustle and bustle of life at home and, being a foodie, immerse myself in the gastronomical delights of the country.

Claire Buckingham

Role:   Foundation Governor, appointed by the Diocese
Committee(s): Chair of Resources Committee
Area(s) of Responsibility: Development Governor, Health & Safety, GDPR


I was first appointed as a Foundation Governor of the school in October 2018 following my son joining the reception class. My husband and I found ourselves very excited about this school following our walk around and we could clearly see how passionate the leaders of the school were, not only about each child’s learning but also their wellbeing and social development.  

I have always felt strongly that a child should be encouraged to reach their own full potential and I believe this happens both in school, at home and in the wider community.  I look forward to supporting the school in achieving its goals and developing its children.

I qualified as an accountant in 2008 and I am Head of Finance for a family run retail business.  I am kept extremely busy by my two children and Husband.  We enjoy going for walks, Geocaching, and theme parks. I enjoy a fast roller-coaster as a way to relax!

Andrew Wilson

Role: Parent Governor, elected by parents/carers
Committee(s): School Improvement Committee
Area(s) of Responsibility: Curriculum

I was appointed as a parent governor at Stone School in 2022, and I currently have two children attending the school. My daughter is in class 3, and my son is in class 5. We chose Stone School for our son when he started in class R in 2018 because of the wonderful relationships that teachers across the school have with students of all age groups. We were also impressed by the strong friendships that children form across different year groups and how the pupils work together as a whole-school community.

I wanted to be a part of the governing body so that I could represent parents sharing views and ideas as part of the wider school team. In my professional life, I work for an IT services company as a consultant specialising in the delivery and implementation of Microsoft cloud solutions and services. Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of working with several secondary schools and higher education institutions. This experience has given me valuable insights into how important IT is within education and the unique challenges that schools face.

My hobbies include DIY, camping and spending time with my family.I have also recently taken on the role of trustee and treasurer at a local Scout Group that both my children attend. It has been a rewarding experience to work alongside other dedicated volunteers to further develop and improve the group, which is attended by around 150 young individuals.

Rosie Seivwright
Role: Staff Governor, elected by staff members
Committee(s): School Improvement
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Delegation of Work

In addition to the termly Full Governing Board Meetings Governors also sit on sub- committees.

School Improvement Committee  
This committee meets 3 -6 times per year and looks at curriculum, quality of teaching and learning, recruitment and retention of staff, pupil performance data etc. All Governors are members of this committee.

Resources Committee 
The Finance Committee also includes Premises and Health & Safety and meets at least termly. This Committee is responsible for setting the school budget and ensuring good value for money, premises and lettings, termly Health & Safety Inspections.

The minutes of this committee are available to all Governors and recommendations from the Finance Committee are ratified at Full Governing Board Meetings

Personnel Committee
This committee looks at matters relating to staffing, such as the appraisal of staff including the Headteacher’s  performance management.

Disciplinary Committee
This committee is convened only when required for example dealing with staff dismissal; dismissal appeal and pupil discipline.

All committee meetings are minuted and circulated to Governors.

Governor Visits

It is a requirement that all Governors visit the school during the school day at least once a year. Their visit should be linked to the area they have a responsibility for and linked to the key priorities of the School Development Plan. This affords Governors an opportunity to speak to subject leaders and to see the pupils working and to hear the pupil voice.

Following a visit Governors write a report of their visit and this is circulated to all Governors and discussed at the relevant committee meeting or Full Governing Board Meeting. Reports inform Governors and provides enhanced challenge and support at meetings.

In addition Governors attend Parent’s Evening, information evenings and school functions organised by SSPTA.

Safeguarding of Children

The safeguarding of children is the responsibility of all Governors.  As part of the Governor Induction Programme all Governors are made aware of their role in this area. A nominated Safeguarding Governor meets at least termly with the Headteacher to ensure Safeguarding procedures are followed and to check the Single Central Record (SCR).

In addition the nominated Safeguarding Governor contributes to the Safeguarding Audit and Annual Safeguarding Report. A report from the nominated Safeguarding Governor is a standing item on the Full Governing Body Agenda.

The safeguarding of children underpins all aspects of supporting pupils in our community.